BAE Systems to provide Army with 90,000 body armor plates

International defense contractor BAE Systems has been awarded a $45 million contract modification from the U.S. Army to make body armor for soldiers.

The contract is for a low-rate, initial production of 90,000 plates of lightweight torso and side body armor that is designed to protect soldiers while reducing their carrying load. The modification on the contract was awarded under the Soldier Protection System Vital Torso Protection program, through which the Army is investing in the future of lightweight, high-performance hard body armor.

“This award shows the continued importance of BAE Systems to the Army’s drive to deliver the lightest weight body armor available today,” Robert Monks, director of Warfighter Protection Programs at BAE Systems, said. “It positions us to continue as a leading supplier of the lightest, next-generation body armor for the U.S. Department of Defense.”

Under the contract, BAE Systems will provide three different variants on the armor: the Lightweight X Small Arms Protective Insert, a torso plate that protects against various threats; and two side plate variants, the Lightweight X Side Ballistic Insert and Lightweight Enhanced Side Ballistic Insert that enhance the protection afforded by the torso plates.